Murim Login - Chapter 608

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 608
I stared intently at the middle-aged man before me.
Donald Trump Jr.
A tycoon who owned trillions of won in assets and corporate groups, and a figure who set the record as the third father-and-son president in United States history, following his father who had served as a former U.S. President.
With an appearance as refined as a British gentleman, he looked twenty years younger than his actual age, and his smile toward us carried genuine warmth.
“Welcome, both of you.”
Unlike his father, we shook hands with President Trump, whose hair was neatly combed back.
I never imagined I would meet the American President like this, someone I’d only seen through television and internet articles. Even seeing him in person felt surreal.
“Ha ha, there’s no need to look at me that way. Rather, I’m the one who finds this remarkable. I finally get to meet the two of you, whom I’ve only heard about.”
Choi Team Leader responded with fluent pronunciation.
“Thank you for your warm welcome, Mr. President.”
“I’m aware that a joint state funeral was held in Korea. I offer my condolences to the victims who tragically lost their lives to injustice, and to Mr. Kim, the former Peace Guild Master.”
President Trump was gentlemanly not only in appearance but also in demeanor.
Even though he had sent the U.S. Ambassador to Korea and the Foreign Minister to the joint state funeral to observe proper protocol, one could tell from how he took the time to offer separate greetings that he hadn’t forgotten.
“Now that I think about it, you must already be acquainted with the Foreign Minister. Isn’t that right, Jessie?”
At President Donald’s call, the middle-aged woman sitting at the pentagonal table, the Foreign Minister, smiled faintly and gave a nod of acknowledgment.
Only then did I realize that the people at this gathering were the core figures supporting the superpower that is the United States of America.
‘The key personnel of the U.S. military and political establishment.’
Not many of them wore formal suits. Given that the Foreign Minister, with whom I had a passing acquaintance from attending the joint state funeral, was one of them, most of those in formal attire were likely ministers or people of equivalent rank.
And the military….
‘There are damn many of them.’
It was literally a feast of stars.
Elderly generals with graying or completely white hair stood in dress uniforms adorned with gleaming insignia and stars, regarding us with curious gazes.
“Ah, I apologize for the late introduction.”
President Trump, noticing the direction of my gaze, continued speaking.
“Now then, everyone. This is Mr. Choi, who oversees the Peace Guild and Ares Guild. And this is Mr. Jin, whom you all know. And the people here are….”
Jack. Philip. Joy. Liam. Isabella.
Names and titles I’d heard at least once in Hollywood war movies flashed past in rapid succession.
Choi Team Leader, who was usually knowledgeable about everything, seemed to know all their faces and names, but I simply nodded blankly.
‘Why are there so many departments and positions?’
The only figures I could really remember were the directors of the CIA and FBI. Perhaps it was because they were special organizations that frequently appeared in movies.
“Now that introductions are complete, I should explain why I’ve suddenly summoned you both.”
Snap. Whoosh!
The moment President Trump snapped his fingers with a cheerful gesture, the hologram that had briefly disappeared filled the space all around us.
‘This is…’
A map. Not of the entire Earth, but a detailed map of a specific region.
Coordinates were written across numerous buildings and various terrains, and mysterious glowing marks like stars appeared in scattered locations.
‘Ah.’
The place names written on the holographic map and the terrain scattered with deserts.
Recalling what President Trump had been saying when we first arrived, I murmured with sudden understanding.
“The Middle East?”
「A tactical map marking the locations of terrorist organizations. Those glimmering markers must be Gates or headquarters.」
I wasn’t the only one who spoke. Nearly simultaneously, President Trump nodded at the words that flowed from both Choi Team Leader and me.
「Both answers are correct. However, Mr. Choi’s response was far more detailed and closer to the mark. Those lights indicate locations presumed to be terrorist organization headquarters. Hologram reduction.」
Whoooosh.
The enlarged hologram shrinks into the shape of a globe following the command.
As President Trump gestures, the slowly rotating Earth displays countless lights of varying sizes scattered across its surface.
“Are all of those terrorist organizations?”
「During my father’s presidency, there were over 100 Islamic armed terrorist groups alone. Of course, after the Cataclysm, they’ve multiplied to a terrifying degree.」
This was my first time hearing this.
Over 100 Islamic armed terrorist groups. And that was the count before the Cataclysm, so the current number goes without saying.
Of course, among them are small-scale terrorist cells operating at club level, but the problem is that these aren’t engaging in some comic book club activities—they’re conducting terrorist operations aimed at mass murder.
‘Seriously, how are there so many?’
I knew the world had plenty of madmen, but I never imagined it was this extensive.
Choi Team Leader, who had been staring at the hologram with a grave expression, opened his mouth.
「Are you excluding the rebel forces scattered throughout Africa?」
「An excellent question, Mr. Choi. Fortunately, the rebel forces are included in this count as well.」
「As you say, Mr. President, that’s truly a blessing. And I believe I now understand why you’ve invited us here.」
Choi Team Leader continued in a low voice.
「Perhaps… you’re considering eliminating these terrorist organizations.」
「Precisely.」
President Trump didn’t deny it and nodded heavily.
「As you both know, the United States of America remains the world’s strongest nation, but we face considerable restraint because of it. Therefore, we must exercise caution both militarily and diplomatically.」
No matter how storied America’s role as an international bully, it wasn’t powerful enough to devour every nation on Earth.
Even less so after suffering the most severe damage from the Cataclysm.
「However, the terrorist organizations and rebel forces currently operating in the shadows across the globe must disappear as soon as possible. I’m certain you both understand the reasons why.」
I understood perfectly.
Just as Magic Johnson had mentioned, terrorist organizations and African rebel forces had begun conducting experiments using Gates and magical stones.
What results they might obtain from these experiments, whether they would succeed or fail—I couldn’t know. But what was certain was that the very attempt itself posed sufficient danger.
‘Like nuclear testing.’
The entire world watches whenever North Korea conducts a missile test.
Of course, Koreans simply think ‘there they go again’ and go about their business, but that’s only because we know they won’t actually launch anything.
But terrorist organizations were madmen—far worse than North Korea, even.
「Mr. Johnson must have informed you. Just today alone, terrorist organizations have conducted the same operations simultaneously in California, Arizona, and Texas. And this isn’t something happening only in America.」
Whoosh.
As President Trump smoothly swept his hand through the hologram, the globe vanished and dozens of small holographic windows materialized.
– Surrender! If you lay down your weapons and surrender now…!
– God is great!
– Blood, bloodshed!
– Craaaaaash!
Dozens of languages filtered through the system clashed noisily against one another.
People of different skin tones and features fled from the explosions or screamed, their bodies covered in human bone and flesh scattered in all directions.
「Today alone, there have been thirty-two terrorist attempts targeting the entire world. Fortunately, the damage remains minimal—much like the Texas incident covered in the news—but if the terrorist organizations complete their experiments using the Gates and magic stones they possess…」
Chuck Haigl interjected roughly, toying with his cigar.
「Fuck. Needless to say, everything goes to shit. Just like what happened in South Korea, monster waves will occur without warning or pattern.」
Magic Johnson opened his mouth with a heavy sigh.
「The rebel forces won’t sit idle either. They’re just as dangerous as the terrorist organizations. They abduct children, brainwash them, and use them as soldiers. For the sake of seizing a nation, they wouldn’t bat an eye if tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands died.」
Why does the saying suddenly come to mind—that humanity contains both the greatest good and the most terrible evil?
At the same time, the corpses and screams of those who died before my eyes just weeks ago resurfaced, pressing heavily upon my chest.
“Mm.”
I glanced sideways at Choi Team Leader with a low hum.
His gaze, reflecting on someone who had departed not long ago, was deeply sunken.
‘Such a thing must never happen again.’
I don’t know how cruel humanity can become.
How many more must die and suffer before this mad wheel stops turning?
Yet at the same time, I felt grateful.
Because I possessed the strength to halt this relentless wheel, even if only for a moment.
And if I couldn’t stop it…
‘Then I’ll destroy it.’
Having already decided in my heart, I opened my mouth abruptly while staring at President Trump.
“When will the subjugation operation begin?”
Understanding the intent behind my question, a smile spread across his lips.
At President Trump’s gesture, one of those seated at the pentagonal table rose to his feet.
「Assuming all members of the UN Security Council consent, all preparations should be complete within two months at the fastest, or over half a year at the slowest.」
“Two months at the fastest?”
That’s slow. Far slower than I’d anticipated.
I furrowed my brow slightly and continued.
“Given the danger you’ve described, it seems we’re losing too much time.”
「It’s unavoidable under international law. Particularly, deploying military forces to the Middle East and Africa without the consent of those nations constitutes a clear violation of sovereignty.」
“I’ve seen the Modern World history textbook, and they fought plenty in the Middle East. I’ve even watched documentaries criticizing the oil money situation.”
At my casually thrown remark, a key government official suddenly choked on his words.
「…Ahem. That was due to the 9/11 incident, and now, following the new international treaties established after the Great Cataclysm…」
“Fine, never mind. So the fastest is really about two months, right?”
「Ahem. Yes. That’s correct.」
After thinking briefly, I leaned toward President Trump and whispered very softly.
“Um, may I ask one thing?”
「Please, speak freely.」
“What if some mysterious, unidentifiable vigilante were to wipe out the African rebel forces or the Middle East Terrorist Organization? Would that also violate international law?”
「Pardon?」
“You know, like Batman or Spider-Man. Something like that. But first, lower your voice before you answer.”
For a moment, President Trump stood frozen, his expression blank as he struggled to comprehend the words. Finally, he managed to force out a response.
「So you’re saying… right now… Mr. Jin intends to hide his identity and eliminate the terrorist organization…?」
“Me? Why would I?”
「No, wait. If I’m interpreting what you just said correctly…」
“I never said that. I was just giving an example.”
「Hold on a moment, Mr. Jin.」
“This old man’s going to cause real trouble. Why would I do something like that alone? Unless I’m some lunatic storming into Ares Guild Headquarters by myself.”
「…!」
A suffocating silence fell over the room.
President Trump stared at me as though I were a madman before finally opening his mouth.
「It seems I’ve misunderstood. I can’t believe I was entertaining such an absurd notion.」
“Right?”
「Yes, then let us conclude today’s meeting here. I’ll accidentally leave behind the holographic tactical map data.」
“Ah, yes. An accident.”
「Indeed. It’s classified information of the highest order and must never leak to the outside. Especially since it contains detailed markings of rebel positions throughout the Middle East and Africa.」
“And is there anything else?”
「Everything necessary is included in the materials. Of course, Mr. Jin would have no reason to obtain such documents, and you’ll be heading straight back to Korea. Isn’t that right, Mr. Johnson?」
Magic Johnson, having grasped the situation, nodded in agreement.
「Of course, Mr. President. Though Jin does seem to enjoy traveling. Perhaps he could spare a few days to spend time with me while I’m away.」
「Ah, is that so? Perhaps there’s a region you’re fond of…」
I answered without hesitation.
“Africa and the Middle East. Especially deserts—I absolutely love them. My dream is to pee in an oasis and feed treats to the Sphinx.”
Choi Team Leader added in a calm tone.
「I was born in summer, so I prefer warm places.」
“How fortunate.”
「Ready, Choi?」
「Of course. Johnson… wait, something feels off about this.」
As the conversation flowed smoothly despite the confusion, Chuck Haigl clenched a cigar between his teeth and delivered the final word.
「A madman going to kill madmen.」
That’s right. Madmen must die by the hands of madmen.
* * *
It was an ordinary day. After interrogating foreign prisoners and eliminating an insolent subordinate, the leader of the Islamic Armed Terrorist Group returned to his bedroom. Muhammad Saladin At-Din hadn’t even removed his outer garment when he came face to face with an uninvited guest.
“Stand straight, Hassan.”
“…?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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